Interactive art has been taken to another level on Gordon Street as the Begging Bear outside the Guelph Art Gallery has been boxed in.
A wooden box now encases the bear, with an opening where his outstretched paw pokes through.
The interaction may be political in nature, as the box, bearing the words "DO NOT FEED THE BEAR" is also plastered in very realistic provincial offence notices, listing The Begging Bear as "homeless" and ticketing it for a variety of offences, including "solicitation in aggressive manner."
There is also a fake police notice from the "Province of Ontario Police" along with a letter from the "Department of Justice."
The letters say the "homeless" bear is trespassing and that it will be removed.
"The current use of the park by a homeless bear and others occupying Donald Forster Sculpture Park is causing damage to the park and interfering with necessary maintenance of the park," reads one notice.
Created by artist Carl Skelton and installed in 1999, the bear has become a piece of interactive art that has been dressed up and adorned to celebrate events and deliver messages numerous times.
In 2016 the bear was toppled, believed to be an accident caused by some over-exuberant students climbing on it.
